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Modern bass and old school amp?

SteveC

SteveC

Supporting Member
Nov 12, 2004
31,651
46,771
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NE ND
#1
I have always used a "modern" sounding bass (Sadowsky, Lakland, Roscoe currently) and a "modern" amp like a Genz Benz Shuttle. Alway figured I was after a modern tone I guess.

Well, I'm kind of looking for a change. Anyone use a "modern" bass with an "old school" amp? Am I crazy to think this?
 
#3
I mostly play DI/IEM at church so I don't use an amp for much more than home practice and the occasional small gig - background jazz gig, stuff like.

I was thinking of a REDDI for church and maybe a similar amp for the rest.
 
#4
I'm gonna bump/revive this and see if there are any new thoughts. I was thinking of maybe an Aguilar TH500 Or maybe even going tube! I remember playing an Ampeg B-15 at a local store a long time ago and was going to buy it - but didn't as a younger kid was the original buyer (I could have been an ass and bought it out from under him but didn't) so I held off.

I'm wondering if a B-15 has enough volume to do what my Genz Benz Shuttle is dong now.
 
#5
I love putting a modern sounding bass into an SVT. It has a sweet midbass/low mid punch that really helps an otherwise scooped sounding instrument really pop in the mix. Alas, I have neither the funds nor the desire to schlep such an amp.

About a year ago, I did a showcase at SIR Studios and used a Lakland jazz bass with their backline - an actual blueline SVT with two matching 810's. it was freakin glorious.
 
#6
I bought a 1971 model fender silver face bassman with matching 2 15" cab. It sounds amazing with my EBMM 5 and fender dlx jazz 5. I also have a 1989 ampeg SVT 2 that I like, but my main rig is an Eden Wt800 with 810xlt but it stays at my church.
 
#8
Not sure about going tube or Ampeg as when I played an SVT I didn't like it at all. The B-15 was a LONG time ago so I'm not sure what I remember about that one either.

The Genz Benz is fine, but I'm kind of looking for a change. Something that will go nicely with my Roscoe's. Doesn't have to be super loud as my 300 watt 210 GB works fine for non PA gigs - small club, background jazz type stuff.

There seems to be a lot of TH500 love.
 
#11
I can testify that my Lakland 55-94 sounds great through a vintage Ampeg B15 and a 1970s-era Fender Bassman 10 (410 sealed cab combo). Neither is built to handle a low B at high volume, but they sound great at low to moderate volume. I'll bet that a 1960s Showman with 215 cab would also be a great combination with this bass or with any modern bass. My Dingwall Combustion also sounded sweet through the Bassman Studio 10.
 
#12
SteveC said:
Not sure about going tube or Ampeg as when I played an SVT I didn't like it at all. The B-15 was a LONG time ago so I'm not sure what I remember about that one either.

The Genz Benz is fine, but I'm kind of looking for a change. Something that will go nicely with my Roscoe's. Doesn't have to be super loud as my 300 watt 210 GB works fine for non PA gigs - small club, background jazz type stuff.

There seems to be a lot of TH500 love.
Click to expand...

Try the TC Electronic BG250 combo. 115, 250 watts. 35 punds. Sounds a lot like an Ampeg B15 and so far has sounded perfect with any bass and any application I've needed.
 
#13
I have had an interesting time playing an American G&L L2000 through a Kustom 250 and matching 2x15....mostly for experimentation and practice. I got the idea when a buddy of mine played a Spector through a Musicman HD150 and an Ampeg B25B cab.

I liked hearing the neck pickup with the highs rolled off through the 215, I just wished there was a mid control on the Kustom head. The G&L sounds great through the Musicman though.
 
#17
If you can find a vintage Acoustic, Ampeg, Music Man, or Sunn bass amp to try out, you might like one of them. I have new and vintage amps and prefer my old Acoustic 370 (solid state and my all time favorite amp) and Music Man One-thirty (tube) over anything else. They both have plenty of power (never turn up past "2") and so much tone control. The only downside is that when something breaks, it's tough to get parts. It's good to always have a backup amp.
 
#19
richland123 said:
...and Music Man One-thirty (tube) over anything else. They both have plenty of power (never turn up past "2") and so much tone control.
Click to expand...

In the '80s, I loved my MM 65...with a souped-up PJ bass (active pickups installed) & a '74 Fender Bassman 100 cab (4x12).
I played in a 10-piece horn band & never went past "2" (Master Vol was @10). Best-sounding combination I ever had...IIRC!
I was completely buffalo'd when I eventually went the SWR, Eden, et al route...could never seem to get enough volume.
FWIW, G-K & Aquilar have worked well for me as far as solid state amps go.

The only downside is that when something breaks, it's tough to get parts.
Click to expand...

...ain't it the truth.
 

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